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Scottish independence: First referendum results declared Scottish independence: 'No' holds narrow lead
(35 minutes later)
Six of the first seven areas to declare their vote in the Scottish referendum have rejected independence, as counting continues across the country. The campaign to keep Scotland in the UK holds a narrow lead as counting continues across the country.
Dundee, the largest area to declare so far, backed independence by 53,620 votes to 39,880. Voters in 10 of the first 12 council areas to declare their results rejected independence.
But a further six local authorities have voted in favour of Scotland remaining in the UK. But Dundee, the largest area to declare so far, backed independence by 53,620 votes to 39,880, while West Dunbartonshire also voted "Yes" by 33,720 to 28,776.
Clackmannanshire was first to declare, with "No" winning 19,036 votes and "Yes" on 16,350. Clackmannanshire was first to declare, with "No" winning by about 2,600 votes.
Inverclyde voted "No" to leaving the United Kingdom by only 86 votes, while in Renfrewshire the totals were 62,067 for "No" and 55,466 for "Yes".Inverclyde voted "No" to leaving the United Kingdom by only 86 votes, while in Renfrewshire the totals were 62,067 for "No" and 55,466 for "Yes".
Voters in the Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland and Clackmannanshire also voted against independence. Voters in the Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland and Midlothian also voted against independence, as did Stirling, Falkirk and East Lothian.
Counting will carry on through the night, with the final result expected after 06:30 BST on Friday.Counting will carry on through the night, with the final result expected after 06:30 BST on Friday.
In other developments:In other developments:
In Inverclyde, "No" received 27,329 and "Yes" 27,243, while in Orkney, "No" won 10,004 votes compared with 4,883 for "Yes".In Inverclyde, "No" received 27,329 and "Yes" 27,243, while in Orkney, "No" won 10,004 votes compared with 4,883 for "Yes".
In Shetland voters rejected independence by 9,951 votes to 5,669 and in the Western Isles, the result was 10,544 to 9,195 in favour of Scotland staying in the UK.In Shetland voters rejected independence by 9,951 votes to 5,669 and in the Western Isles, the result was 10,544 to 9,195 in favour of Scotland staying in the UK.
Polling expert Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University said the Clackmannanshire and Inverclyde results would be a "considerable disappointment" to the "Yes" side.Polling expert Professor John Curtice of Strathclyde University said the Clackmannanshire and Inverclyde results would be a "considerable disappointment" to the "Yes" side.
He added: "The results are beginning to point towards a 'No' victory albeit it may yet be a while before we are clear as to how big that victory is."He added: "The results are beginning to point towards a 'No' victory albeit it may yet be a while before we are clear as to how big that victory is."
Commenting on the Clackmannanshire and Orkney results, which were the first to be announced, former Labour Home Secretary Lord Reid said: "It's obviously gratifying to get the first two results under our belt by fairly significant margins. Blair McDougall, director of the Better Together campaign to keep Scotland in the UK, said: "We think there will be a clear 'No' vote tonight.
"But that's two out of 32. It does wonders for the morale of the troops here, but in the very nature of things there will be ups and downs and I'm sure there will be one or two that rather than creating euphoria here, create a bit of despair." "I think the results we have seen now from places like Clackmannanshire - which is an SNP stronghold - are encouraging."
Speaking from the count in Perth, Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "At this stage it looks as if Better Together is ahead, I would accept that, but we need to wait to see all of the work that is going on on the tables to see exactly how the vote is going to separate between the two counts. Speaking from the count in Perth, Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney, a supporter of independence, said: "It's a very early stage in the night, we have big declarations yet to come, and waiting to see exactly what the position will be in other parts of the country would be good advice at this stage of the night."
"I think we have to be really careful about making judgements based on the three declarations that have taken place.
"The gap between the two positions is about 13,000 votes. These are three relatively small local authority areas. there are much bigger votes to be cast in other parts of the country. It is a very early stage in the night."
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who has led the "Yes" campaign, has flown from his home in Aberdeenshire to the national counting centre on the outskirts of Edinburgh.Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who has led the "Yes" campaign, has flown from his home in Aberdeenshire to the national counting centre on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
He had earlier tweeted: "This has been a remarkable day. Scotland's future truly is in Scotland's hands",He had earlier tweeted: "This has been a remarkable day. Scotland's future truly is in Scotland's hands",
A YouGov on-the-day survey published shortly after polls closed suggested "No" was on 54% and "Yes" on 46%.A YouGov on-the-day survey published shortly after polls closed suggested "No" was on 54% and "Yes" on 46%.
The survey questioned 1,828 people after they voted, together with the postal votes of 800 people, although it is not a traditional exit poll.The survey questioned 1,828 people after they voted, together with the postal votes of 800 people, although it is not a traditional exit poll.
A "Yes" vote in the ballot would end the 307-year-old union between Scotland and the rest of the UK.A "Yes" vote in the ballot would end the 307-year-old union between Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Analysis: Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland political editorAnalysis: Brian Taylor, BBC Scotland political editor
The first three results are a hat-trick for the Better Together side but they are three of the smallest council areas in Scotland.The first three results are a hat-trick for the Better Together side but they are three of the smallest council areas in Scotland.
In terms of Shetland, they weren't notably keen on devolution in the first place, so it is no great surprise that they are not exactly giving a resounding endorsement to the concept of independence.In terms of Shetland, they weren't notably keen on devolution in the first place, so it is no great surprise that they are not exactly giving a resounding endorsement to the concept of independence.
Of the three results, of course, the Clackmannanshire result is far and away the most significant in that it was an area that perhaps should have been doing rather better for the "Yes" side.Of the three results, of course, the Clackmannanshire result is far and away the most significant in that it was an area that perhaps should have been doing rather better for the "Yes" side.
Read more from BrianRead more from Brian
As soon as Scotland's 2,608 polling places closed, work began to transport hundreds of ballot boxes to counting centres in each of Scotland's 32 local authorities.As soon as Scotland's 2,608 polling places closed, work began to transport hundreds of ballot boxes to counting centres in each of Scotland's 32 local authorities.
These will include votes cast from the 789,024 postal vote applications, which was the largest volume of registration for postal votes ever in Scotland.These will include votes cast from the 789,024 postal vote applications, which was the largest volume of registration for postal votes ever in Scotland.
The bulk of the local results are expected to come between 03:00 and 05:00 BST (02:00 and 04:00 GMT) on Friday.
And, for the first time, 16 and 17-year-olds all across Scotland were able to vote.And, for the first time, 16 and 17-year-olds all across Scotland were able to vote.
Once the results from all the local authority areas are known, chief counting officer Mary Pitcaithly will declare the result of the referendum at the Royal Highland Centre outside Edinburgh.Once the results from all the local authority areas are known, chief counting officer Mary Pitcaithly will declare the result of the referendum at the Royal Highland Centre outside Edinburgh.
However, running totals - which can be made from the first declaration onwards - may indicate a result earlier in the morning.However, running totals - which can be made from the first declaration onwards - may indicate a result earlier in the morning.
Many councils have reported busy polling stations throughout Thursday, with some seeing queues both ahead of the polls opening and throughout the morning.Many councils have reported busy polling stations throughout Thursday, with some seeing queues both ahead of the polls opening and throughout the morning.
East Dunbartonshire has recorded the highest turnout so far, at 91%, with East Renfrewshire and Stirling slightly behind on 90.5% and 90.1% respectively.East Dunbartonshire has recorded the highest turnout so far, at 91%, with East Renfrewshire and Stirling slightly behind on 90.5% and 90.1% respectively.
But turnout in Glasgow was lower, at 75%, while in Dundee it was 78.8% and Aberdeen 81.7%.But turnout in Glasgow was lower, at 75%, while in Dundee it was 78.8% and Aberdeen 81.7%.
Large numbers of independence supporters have gathered in George Square, in the centre of Glasgow, ahead of the result.Large numbers of independence supporters have gathered in George Square, in the centre of Glasgow, ahead of the result.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who led the pro-independence "Yes" campaign, cast his ballot at Ritchie Hall in Strichen, Aberdeenshire.Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, who led the pro-independence "Yes" campaign, cast his ballot at Ritchie Hall in Strichen, Aberdeenshire.
Pro-Union Better Together leader Alistair Darling was greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos as he arrived at the Church Hill Theatre in Edinburgh to cast his vote.Pro-Union Better Together leader Alistair Darling was greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos as he arrived at the Church Hill Theatre in Edinburgh to cast his vote.
Referendum nightReferendum night
The BBC's Scotland Decides will bring continuous, up-to-date coverage all through the night, as well as comprehensive analysis. On Twitter, keep abreast of all the action overnight via @BBCPolitics and @BBCScotlandNews.The BBC's Scotland Decides will bring continuous, up-to-date coverage all through the night, as well as comprehensive analysis. On Twitter, keep abreast of all the action overnight via @BBCPolitics and @BBCScotlandNews.
A Scotland Decides programme presented by Huw Edwards will be broadcast on BBC One from 22:35 BST, while Scotland Decides The Result will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland.A Scotland Decides programme presented by Huw Edwards will be broadcast on BBC One from 22:35 BST, while Scotland Decides The Result will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland.
Or follow the results on BBC Radio 4's Scotland Decides programme presented by James Naughtie and Rachel Burden. BBC Radio Scotland will also provide live coverage from 22:00 BST until 06:00 BST.Or follow the results on BBC Radio 4's Scotland Decides programme presented by James Naughtie and Rachel Burden. BBC Radio Scotland will also provide live coverage from 22:00 BST until 06:00 BST.
You can also watch and listen to all the live television and radio coverage on the BBC News website.You can also watch and listen to all the live television and radio coverage on the BBC News website.
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